In the midst of political, religious, national, economic or personal problems, there is one thing that unites all Argentines: Mate.

Mate (pronounced máh-teh) despite what many people may say, is NOT in fact a herbal green tea although it is similar to one. Mate is a tea-like drink made from a green-colored jerboa (herb) that is a lot more robust than tea. For Argentines, mate is the very heart of life and is part of their tradition. It is drunk by the old and young, rich and poor, Peronists and Radicals, parents and children, during winter and summer

After years of conflict, Argentina’s President Cristina Kirchner greeted the new Pope Francis with a beautiful mate set – el “mate de la paz” – after which the pope asked her to stay for lunch with “unos mates” to follow”. Rocco Palmo noted on the occasion that: “A longstanding Vatican protocol forbids the Pope being seen consuming anything but the Eucharist”, but this did not stop him being photographed enjoying the drink.

Under the bill, foreigners caught breaking the law can be immediately expelled from Argentina and banned from returning for at least five years. Foreign-born people with legal residence can ask to remain in Argentina to serve out their sentence for the crime.

Argentines are growing increasingly worried about rising crime in their country.

Rights groups say foreigners represent a fraction of law breakers and say the proposed law could leave to unfair treatment.

Perón was President of Argentina from 1946 to 1955 and from 1973 to 1974. His populist appeal to the poor was enhanced by the charisma and work of his second wife, Evita. After her death in 1952, his popularity waned, and amidst increasing economic difficulties and labor unrest, he was deposed in a military coup in 1955. Perón fled to Paraguay and Spain but returned from exile to the presidency in 1973, only to die in office the following year. What was stolen from his tomb in 1987? More…

Eva Perón was an actress who became a political and cultural icon as the wife of Argentine presidentJuan Perón. When Juan entered office in 1946, Eva became a powerful though unofficial political leader alongside her husband. Commonly known by the affectionate diminutive “Evita,” she presided over the creation of a charitable foundation that gave the poor access to healthcare and built schools and whole communities for them. Why was Evita’s corpse hidden for 16 years after her death? More…Discuss